Congressman Chris Collins

Three months ago, Chris Collins was expected to cruise to reelection in November. That was before the congressman was indicted on insider trading charges and announced he was suspending his campaign. Collins, of course, reversed that decision, stating that he would "actively" campaign in the 27th district. As Buffalo News Political Reporter Bob McCarthy points out, that activity has featured some limited public appearances and heavy spending on political advertising, including one commercial which has raised the ire of ethnic groups and Democratic challenger Nate McMurray.

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4:47

Bob McCarthy of the Buffalo News discusses local political issues with WBFO.

The troubles continue to mount for Rep. Chris Collins. The House Ethics Committee has established an Investigative Subcommittee to review the charges against Collins outlined in a federal indictment. It's a serious development, so say two Washington observers who follow congressional matters. They also note the Justice Department has requested the Subcommittee delay its investigation until the federal charges are resolved. That conclusion may come after Collins, who has suspended his reelection campaign, is out of office.

Chanting, protest signs and marchers. It was all in Eden last night as several dozen people appeared to oppose a rumored plan to place indicted Congressman Chris Collins onto the town ballot. It's a move which would allow Republican leaders to remove Collins from the November ballot and boost the party's chances of retaining the 27th Congressional District.

While Republican leaders in the eight counties of New York's 27th Congressional District go about trying to replace Rep. Chris Collins (R-Clarence), Democrats are planning to fight any changes to the November ballot.

She was defeated six years ago by the man now holding her former seat in the House of Representatives. Earlier this year, Governor Andrew Cuomo suggested she'd be an ideal candidate to challenge Chris Collins this November. But Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, during an appearance in Buffalo, says she's better serving people in her current role.

Political observers are recalculating their expectations for the race in the 27th Congressional District in light of Chris Collins' legal troubles. Roll Call, the Washington D.C.-based publication, had rated the race as "solidly Republican" before Collins was indicted on charges of insider trading. Roll Call's Bridget Bowman tells WBFO that doors are now opening for Nate McMurray that may give the Democratic challenger the money needed to fund an upset.

Congressman Chris Collins is backing President Trump's decision to impose a 25 percent tariff on imported steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports. The levies will take effect in about two weeks.

Congressmen Chris Collins and Brian Higgins have jointly signed a letter to a federal government agency, urging action on a plan to expand and improve the US plaza at the Peace Bridge. While the Peace Bridge Authority backs the federal lawmakers, at least one Buffalo Common Council member has now expressed concerns for the acquisition of land Higgins says will be needed.

A new database is being tested that allows airlines to check a pilot's credentials before they're hired. It's required as part of the safety regulations enacted after the crash of Flight 3407, in Clarence Center, that killed 50-people.

Congressman Chris Collins has thrown his support behind a bill that bans a practice he calls "grotesque" and "unnecessary," and is one many may not know continues in the U.S. military. It is the mutilation of animals for purposes of training military field medics.

Western New York proved to be productive ground Wednesday for Vice President Mike Pence. As Buffalo News Political Reporter Bob McCarthy reports, Pence attended a fundraiser at Salvatore's that earned $400,000 for Republican Party efforts. The visit also featured a discussion with local small businesses who heard Pence pitch the benefits of the Trump Administration's tax overhaul plan, a proposal that has been blasted by the leaders of New York State's Democratic Party.

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4:32

During his weekly conversation on WBFO, Buffalo News Political Reporter Bob McCarthy discusses Vice President Pence's visit to Western New York.

President Donald Trump's decision to phase out Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, drew swift and strong criticism Tuesday. But a local Republican congressman is sponsoring a bill that, he says, would give the children of those who entered the U.S. illegally a chance to stay permanently.

Congressman Chris Collins says federal law can preempt state law. It is with that in mind that the Western New York Republican is introducing a bill that aims to take down Governor Andrew Cuomo's gun control legislation known as the SAFE Act.

On the same day the Congressional Budget Office issued its assessment of the Senate's proposed health bill, the Cuomo Administration offered its own sharp criticism of a bill they say will prove devastating to everyday New Yorkers while seriously harming efforts to battle an ongoing opioid addiction epidemic.

The U.S. House of Representatives’ vote on the plan to replace the Affordable Care Act looms this evening, and some of New York’s representatives are still on the fence. New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul is hoping to change that.

The House is expected to vote Thursday on a Republican health care bill that repeals wholesale sections of the Affordable Care Act. New York's Senators are both blasting it. They take exception to an amendment co-sponsored by Congressman Chris Collins that cuts billions of dollars in federal aid while shifting county medicaid costs to the state level.

A provision to shift Medicaid health care costs in New York from counties to the state as part of the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act by Congress is meeting with a cool reception from state leaders.

As federal elected officials face noisy constituents at town hall meetings nationwide, New York's senior U.S. Senator and that body's minority leader took questions Wednesday about his own ability to be reached.

Western New York Democratic Congressman Brian Higgins spoke with reporters Monday about immigration and congressional town halls. WBFO's Senior Reporter Eileen Buckley says the democratic lawmaker is unsure how those in Washington will find a "middle ground."

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1:34

WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says Congressman Brian Higgins is unsure how those in Washington will find a 'middle ground'.

Western New York Congressman Chris Collins' strong support for the policies of President Donald Trump is not sitting well with some community members. Around 200 people reportedly gathered outside the congressman's Williamsville office yesterday to renew calls for Collins to hold a town hall meeting.

Two Western New York Republican members of Congress are among those looking forward with excitement to today's inauguration of Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States of America. Meanwhile, while many Democrats have indicated they'll skip the proceedings, one Buffalo-area Democrat says he'll be there.